The influence of self-efficacy on medical help-seeking attitudes among middle-aged and young adults with hypertension: The mediating role of illness perception

Abstract

Many young and middle-aged adults with hypertension do not seek timely medical help. This study investigated the relationship between self-efficacy and medical help-seeking attitudes, specifically focusing on the mediating role of illness perception and the moderating effect of family support. A cross-sectional survey of 382 hypertensive adults aged 18–59 in Nanjing, China, demonstrated that self-efficacy was a significant positive predictor of help-seeking attitudes (β = 0.357, p < 0.001). This relationship was partially mediated by illness perception, explained 37.70% of the variance in the total effect. Furthermore, perceived family support moderated this pathway, and the positive effect of self-efficacy on illness perception was stronger for individuals reporting higher family support (β = 0.103, p = 0.004). These findings highlight how family environment and self-perception jointly influence healthcare-seeking behavior in younger hypertensive populations.